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Test Results
Recently had a tsh test done. The test results: Hypothyroid.
The test was redone 3 days later.
The test came back normal.
How can this be? (Glad it is) Does this happen frequently?
The test was redone 3 days later.
The test came back normal.
How can this be? (Glad it is) Does this happen frequently?
COMMUNITY LEADER
You need to find another doctor who will order the proper tests. In addition to the TPOab, you also need TGab to determine if you have Hashimoto's. Some people only have TPOab, some only have TGab, some have both, so if you only have TPOab tested, and it was negative, that still wouldn't mean you don't have Hashi's because you could have the TGab.
In addition, no matter what the TPOab says, you aren't going to be able to monitor thyroid function without the FT3 and FT4.
The sooner you find another doctor, the better.
In addition, no matter what the TPOab says, you aren't going to be able to monitor thyroid function without the FT3 and FT4.
The sooner you find another doctor, the better.
To be conclusive for Hashimoto's you NEED to test for BOTH TPOab and TGap.
People with Hashimoto's will test positive (meaning above range) for one or the other and some people even both Antibody's. So if you just test for one you have NOT ruled out whether or not you may have Hashi.
Ask your Dr why the hell would you be testing a pituitary hormone instead of the ACTUAL thyroid hormone my body actually uses!
How can yo by "hypo one day and "normal" the next.
Simple. They use the range. And if you tested a TSH of 3.01 and the upper part of the range is 3.00 you are "hypo" but the next day you test 2.99 and you are suddenly "normal".
yet simple testing variation will account for far more than that. Just another reason why TSH alone is virtually useless.
FT4 is a storage hormone and it is important. But think of it as a fuel tank. And in order for your engine to run well you have to have enough gas in the tank. However having a full tank of gas doesn't automatically mean your engine will run fine.
FT3 is the ACTUAL hormone your body uses. This is like measuring the amount of fuel that is ACTUALLY getting to your engine. And thus is obviously a MUCH better thing to test for to determine if your engine is running OK. But that is not the only thing to test or can be wrong. Similarly there are other tests that can be run once you know you have the proper amount of gas in your tank (mid range FT4) and the proper amount of fuel getting to your engine (FT3 in the upper 1/3 of the range)
Measuring TSH alone is like measuring the response or who well the throttle (gas peddle ) is working to determine how well your car's engine is running. If EVERYTHING is working properly, then TSH is OK to measure. Or if the throttle cable is SEVERELY out of adjustment so that the engine is revving out of control or sputtering because you need to add pressure to the gas peddle to keep your engine running. Then testing the throttle response (TSH) is a fine test. But you can see where if ANYTHING else is out or whack in the car, how well your throttle works is of little value. This is EXACTLY why TSH is of little value.
You must demand that you get tested for Free T4 and Free T3 along with BOTH antibody tests TPOab and TGab. And make sure you get a copy of the lab report. When you get them, please post your results AND include the reference ranges that usually are shown within parentheses just after your results.
People with Hashimoto's will test positive (meaning above range) for one or the other and some people even both Antibody's. So if you just test for one you have NOT ruled out whether or not you may have Hashi.
Ask your Dr why the hell would you be testing a pituitary hormone instead of the ACTUAL thyroid hormone my body actually uses!
How can yo by "hypo one day and "normal" the next.
Simple. They use the range. And if you tested a TSH of 3.01 and the upper part of the range is 3.00 you are "hypo" but the next day you test 2.99 and you are suddenly "normal".
yet simple testing variation will account for far more than that. Just another reason why TSH alone is virtually useless.
FT4 is a storage hormone and it is important. But think of it as a fuel tank. And in order for your engine to run well you have to have enough gas in the tank. However having a full tank of gas doesn't automatically mean your engine will run fine.
FT3 is the ACTUAL hormone your body uses. This is like measuring the amount of fuel that is ACTUALLY getting to your engine. And thus is obviously a MUCH better thing to test for to determine if your engine is running OK. But that is not the only thing to test or can be wrong. Similarly there are other tests that can be run once you know you have the proper amount of gas in your tank (mid range FT4) and the proper amount of fuel getting to your engine (FT3 in the upper 1/3 of the range)
Measuring TSH alone is like measuring the response or who well the throttle (gas peddle ) is working to determine how well your car's engine is running. If EVERYTHING is working properly, then TSH is OK to measure. Or if the throttle cable is SEVERELY out of adjustment so that the engine is revving out of control or sputtering because you need to add pressure to the gas peddle to keep your engine running. Then testing the throttle response (TSH) is a fine test. But you can see where if ANYTHING else is out or whack in the car, how well your throttle works is of little value. This is EXACTLY why TSH is of little value.
You must demand that you get tested for Free T4 and Free T3 along with BOTH antibody tests TPOab and TGab. And make sure you get a copy of the lab report. When you get them, please post your results AND include the reference ranges that usually are shown within parentheses just after your results.
I think I need another doctor that can take the time with the patient and review the results, i.e.: giving explanations.
The Dr. did ask for anti TSO antibodies. I went back to the office because I know it should read TPO. It just an example of the type of carelessness.
No FT4 and FT3 were ordered once the TSO to TPO was corrected.
I just do not understand the physician, but one thing for sure, I certainly do not want this physician to treat my thyroid if I am truely Hypo or Hashimoto.
So disappointed.
The Dr. did ask for anti TSO antibodies. I went back to the office because I know it should read TPO. It just an example of the type of carelessness.
No FT4 and FT3 were ordered once the TSO to TPO was corrected.
I just do not understand the physician, but one thing for sure, I certainly do not want this physician to treat my thyroid if I am truely Hypo or Hashimoto.
So disappointed.
COMMUNITY LEADER
TSH varies widely, even intraday. so a 3 day variation is not unusual.
I'm not sure what your medical background is, but for tests to be done you need FREE T3, FREE T4, TSH, TPOab, TGab... Make sure you specify FREE T3 and FREE T4 or you will get tests for Total T3 and Total T4, which are obsolete and of little value.
There is no way you can prevent Hashimoto's. If you have the antibodies, you have the disease, and once you have it, you have it for life.
I'm not sure what your medical background is, but for tests to be done you need FREE T3, FREE T4, TSH, TPOab, TGab... Make sure you specify FREE T3 and FREE T4 or you will get tests for Total T3 and Total T4, which are obsolete and of little value.
There is no way you can prevent Hashimoto's. If you have the antibodies, you have the disease, and once you have it, you have it for life.
test to be redone: TSH, T4, anti TSO antibodies.
Do you think this is all that is needed. I thought so - my medical background tells me so.. I just do not understand why the results can differ in 3 days. Dr. states it's the lab, sometimes they put too much or too little of a liquid to anayse the results.
I just want to make sure I have nothing wrong and prevent hashimoto decease.
Do you think this is all that is needed. I thought so - my medical background tells me so.. I just do not understand why the results can differ in 3 days. Dr. states it's the lab, sometimes they put too much or too little of a liquid to anayse the results.
I just want to make sure I have nothing wrong and prevent hashimoto decease.
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